Read More

More court news

The girl, now aged 13, gave her evidence earlier in the day along with her friend, who was at the Spectrum with her at the time of the alleged incident in the spring, and her mother.

Mr West claimed he had "spoken to the girls when they were in the pool" and that he "asked them to not hang onto the lane ropes" and to "not get in the way of other customers".

He stressed to the jury he had "only spoke to her, that was it".

Mr West was relieved of his lifeguard duties by his colleague at around 9pm whereby he went to clean the unisex changing rooms where the incident was reported to have happened.

The alleged incident happened at Guildford Spectrum

Jurors were shown photographs of the changing cubicles where the complainant claimed Mr West "brushed past her twice, touching her back side each time".

"I asked how long she would be and then I squeezed past her," Mr West told the court. "I just brushed by."

The former lifeguard and football coach mentioned at the time of the alleged incident, he had been in a relationship and for two-and-a-half years.

"At that time, it was a happy relationship," he said. "We broke up a month later. The break up was nothing to do with this. It just wasn't working well," he added.

'Gentleman'

During cross examination, prosecutor Alexander Williams asked him whether he lied about his age to the young girl.

Mr West, who the complainant alleged told her he was 16, said: "I wouldn't lie about my age to anyone."

He also denied finding the girl was "attractive" and and suggestion he had "touched her sexually".

Mr West's defence counsel, Eleanor Scott-Davies, later read out character statements from friends and families of Mr West who described him as a "gentleman" and a young man "brought up well by his family".

Mr West stood trial at Guildford Crown Court

One of his friends said he had "always been there for her as a friend and I for him" and that she was "shocked by the allegation".

The complainant claimed Mr West deliberately touched her backside and "pushed himself up against her" as he passed.

Her mother stated the incident had left her daughter "forlorn and broken".

Mr West always denied the charge and was acquitted by the jury of the one count of sexual assault by touching he was facing.

Keep up to date with the latest news from around the county via the free Get Surrey app.

You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.